Skater XL | PS4 Review

Growing up with the luxury of arcade skaters like the Tony Hawk's series kind of has me spoiled I think. To a point it does impact my thoughts on 'Skater XL'. While I get what the developer was trying to do with physics based mechanics I think it was an attempt that fell flat on it's face. For one of two reasons. Reason number one being it's more fun to actually skateboard in real life than it is to skateboard in a simulation of real life skateboarding. Secondly there's really no incentive to continue playing after you've completed all of the challenges. The way the game is setup with every customization option available upfront, and with a list of challenges that does not require precision execution it feels like a hollow attempt at mimicking something that would have otherwise been fun.

Hellpoint (REVIEW)

Somewhere between Clive Barker's "Hellraiser", and H.R.Giger's "Prometheus" lies the video game vision that is "Hellpoint". A proper blend of science fiction, fantasy, and horror with an atmosphere fitting of the setting. All presented in a somewhat familiar soulsborne gameplay loop ...

At the center of the story of a derelict AI driven space station known as Irid Novo which is floating near a swirling event horizon there exists a dark soulsborne tale about a human spawn brought to life to discover why exactly he is there. As a spawned human creation with a name of your choosing you are awakened, and tasked with the duty of facing the eerie inhabitants of Irid Novo while discovering it's dark past. As you progress you'll suit yourself up with increasingly better gear, and armor to face increasingly more formidable, and frightening foes. Both of the lesser, and more boss-like type. All while being guided in a foreign dialect by your creator, the space station's resident AI.

112th Seed (REVIEW)

112th Seed is a perplexing puzzle platformer about the last remaining plant life in human history. Plant life that was created in a lab to withstand extinction in a bleak future where food isn't plentiful. A future where the last remaining humans sleep in stasis hoping for a miracle that could be seed 112. As seed 112 you are awakened amid the astronauts slumber, and must find your way to them making plants sprout along the way. Between you, and them lies puzzling situations that involve everything from water droplets to sprouting plants, and even plants that will transform you so that you can make your way to the tubular pipe exit. Puzzles are everywhere, and in every lab you happen upon. Growing increasingly complex with each new mechanic introduced. It literally puts William Edward Hickson's famous quote to the test ... "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again".

Mini Island Challenge Bundle (REVIEW)

Mini Island Challenge Bundle. I have no doubt that a lot of you wouldn't be able to guess what this indie game was by the title alone. It can be quite misleading, and without proper introduction one would likely never guess what it really is. That's why I'm here to help the developer, and publisher get your attention for one of the more unique action rogue-likes that the Nintendo Switch has to offer. Developed by MACKINN7, and published by Forever Entertainment SA this game that is "Mini Island Challenge Bundle" is a game that is home to a unique chibi race of mouse eared people who like to slide, dodge, and gun their way from start to finish in a lively world.

The game's gimmick involves the five RPG attributes that can be upgraded, and downgraded between each intermittent skirmish via dropped optional power-ups. Not only will you be boosting five different RPG stats that includes ATK, DEF, HP, LUK, and BTR through power-ups, but you will also be powering up for each consecutive fight according to stat priority. In the heat of battle you'll also be using the dodge mechanic or a slide, and the underlined (quite literally) indicator which will determine the amount of damage you take according to the attached stat markers. It's an interesting take on the rogue-like genre in that how well you power-up will determine how easy or how difficult the battles at hand will be.